Two Weeks In Nashville trio triumph 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

This Surrey band are earning fans and rave reviews thanks to their indie rock sound with a modern twist, and hard graft

Two Weeks In Nashville (TWIN) – who live together in Lingfield – have been making waves within the music industry for the past couple of years thanks to their indie rock sound with a modern twist, their love of live gigs and their aim to bring back fresh, raw energy, personality and big guitar riffs in a hark back to the 70s.

The three-piece band have already had multiple sell-out headline shows as well as supporting a series of major artists including The Hoosiers, Tom Grennan, Supergrass, Razorlight, the Boomtown Rats and more.

Their online videos have more than 8million views and their music has been steamed almost 3 million times.

TWIN won Glastonbury’s Pilton Stage competition in 2023 which led to them supporting Arlo Parks and The Streets at The Pilton Party in Glastonbury. They also reached the final of the Emerging Talent Competition 2024 and were Sir Michael Eavis’ choice and favourite act on the night. Also, in 2022 the band performed at the Silverstone Formula One Grand Prix.

The three band members (Billy LeRiff – Vocals and Guitar; Marc De Luca – Guitar; Ian Wilson – Drums) live together and have a busy summer of gigs ahead.

The band were founded in 2019 after a two-week trip to Nashville which helped them gain clarity on their sound… and their name.

Billy, Marc and Ian all bring their own unique style and personality to the band, with interests varying from tennis, bitcoin, skiing and cooking to Formula 1, handstands and service stations! The band are part of the Purple Heart Records and the lead singer Billy LeRiff also runs a recording studio in Lingfield which is used by other artists and producers, as well as podcast recordings.

You can catch them on tour this summer at Priory Live Festival in Orpington on 10th August, Tilford on 20th September and more dates including London. Make sure to catch the TWIN wave, and watch this space for more from them!

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Join a naked walk in Missenden!

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

You’re all invited to a liberating eight-mile naturist walk through the Misbourne Valley and parts of the Chiltern Hills, 12-5pm on Friday, 9th August.

Have you ever wanted to enjoy the beauty of the countryside with the sun on your skin?

Well you can soak up plenty of this (weather-permitting!) with a walk this month, in your birthday suit, to see whether naturism is for you.

The walk organisers have arranged a pick-up from Great Missenden station to the start point. The walk is mainly through open country and common land with some woodland, along mostly flat terrain with some slight to moderate hills. The circular route follows a network of public footpaths, starting near the village.

The event is organised by British Naturism is association with the Milton Keynes Naturist Meet and Greet Group. It’s open to all members of British Naturism and other naturist (walking) groups; anyone new to naturism is welcome. When booking, just state whether you’re a member of BN or other naturist groups.

A 2015 survey proved that Naturists have higher self-esteem and better body confidence. Shedding your clothes might also help you shed a few of the burdens of everyday life.

Fancy giving it a go and embracing this liberation? The Diogenes Sun Club in Gerrards Cross will host a sport taster day on 14th September.

For further info please contact Andrew and Amanda Roch by emailing [email protected]. Joining details will be provided to those who register. For more about the naturism movement visit British Naturism (bn.org.uk) & also visit Diogenes Sunclub for info.

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

New book celebrates Surrey’s ancient trees

Round & About

Posted on

Community & Charity

Children invited to enter competition to design inside covers for The Thousand Year Tree

Children from the Weyfield Primary Academy Guildford are creating a beautiful new children’s book to encourage conservation of the thousand year old yew trees at Newlands Corner, Surrey.

Working with author Lucy Reynolds and illustrator Katie Hickey, the children are bringing to life 10 centuries of history, reflecting the elements of permanence and change that have bridged this time, and inspiring children everywhere to protect trees and woodlands for generations to come.

As England’s most wooded county, Surrey is home to some of our nation’s oldest trees, including the 4,000 year old Crowhurst Yew.

“These incredible trees have seen so much,” said Lucy, “from the Magna Carta and Norman Conquest, through rebellions, plagues and wars to the modern day today. But the trees are also fragile and have been struggling, so it’s been wonderful to see the children connecting with this vulnerability and expressing their care so beautifully through poetry and verse”.

“The artwork created by the children has been just as inspiring”, added Katie, “combining their vibrant variety of different styles and interests to create a colourful, joyful array of illustrations for the book, in which all of their different personalities shine through”.

One of the participating pupils Lola said: “I’m so proud of all the work and concentration everyone put into the book, this project’s helped me realise that nature has its own important part in all our lives.”

The Thousand Year Tree will be published in October by The Old Dungate Press – and an exciting competition gives children across Surrey the chance to have their own artwork included in the book!

Kids aged 4 to 11 are invited to design the inside covers of the book, based around the theme of trees and nature. Entry forms can be collected from any of Surrey’s libraries, with more information available at https://www.surreyhillssociety.org/the-thousand-year-tree-book-endpapers-design-competition/. Children have until 4th September to submit their creations.

The Thousand Year Tree project is a creative collaboration between the Surrey Hills Society; Surrey Hills National Landscape; Surrey County Council; author Lucy Reynolds; illustrator Katie Hickey; the Guildford Book Festival; The Old Dungate Press; Surrey Libraries and the Weyfield Primary Academy. The project is made possible through the Surrey Hills Access For All fund, which enables everyone to love and protect Surrey’s National Landscape.

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Award-winning carer Semu Sithole

Karen Neville

Posted on

Community & Charity

Home care worker Semu Sithole cherishes working with people and helping them through her role with Countywide Caring

“The most fulfilling thing I can do” is show Semu Sithole, Home Care Worker at Countywide Caring, Wallingford, describes her work.

She says: “Being a carer to me is just not a career and how much I do, it is an amazing feeling I get when I provide hope and reassurance to those in need and seeing the difference it makes to their lives.”

And Semu clearly has made a difference to many lives being awarded the Newcomer to Care Award.

She arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe early in 2023 and despite suffering a personal loss in her home country she remained committed to providing compassionate care, embodying the spirit of empathy for which she has now been rewarded.

She explains. “The support of a carer improves someone’s quality of life and makes them feel valued as an individual and person. I get fulfilled when I leave someone clean, happy, comfortable and with a smile on their face and them looking forward to another day.”

Semu herself has received great support from Countywide Caring management team and staff which she says is “second to none and has contributed greatly to me being great carer”.

Countywide Caring Registered Manager Heidi Kennedy describes Semu as “the kind of person you would like to have more of in your workplace” adding: “The clients regularly request to have her for their visits, they feel very safe with her due to her calm approach and the kindness in how her care is delivered.”

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Take a seat on the HelloBench

Karen Neville

Posted on

Community & Charity

Give a warm welcome to the HelloBench – reset a while, chat and beat loneliness with the new initiative in Woodley & Wokingham

Sit down and have a chat – that’s the simple invitation going out around Woodley and Wokingham in a bid to combat loneliness and help people to make connections.

The initiative called HelloBench will see plaques placed on benches in parks, town precincts and shopping areas inviting you to ‘sit down and have a chat’ and encourage people to ‘get us all talking to each other”.

One of those behind the project is Aliya Musa. She explains a little more about the idea: “Loneliness and depression are close bed fellow and here in Woodley and Wokingham, a grass roots initiative is growing to get us all talking to each other, maybe a little bit more.

“To scoop up those of us, who find it not so easy to start a conversation. It’s for people who for whatever reason find themselves on the margins. Maybe you spend quite a lot of time on your own at home, maybe you are a new mum, maybe someone who works from home, maybe you’re retired. No matter your age, if you’re lonely perhaps you haven’t even noticed it creep up on you.”

In 2018, the Government published a strategy to combat just this problem and many organisations, both central and local government, have been investing in and implementing programmes to reduce the stigma around loneliness. The 2023 Campaign to End Loneliness report acknowledged the effect Covid had on the issue and believes people need to be more connected.

There are already programmes to combat loneliness in the local community with over 50s clubs, ‘chatty tables’ in cafes, lunch clubs and outreach programmes, many of which were set up during the Covid lockdown and continue and others which Aliya concedes have fallen by the wayside adding there’s always room for more.

Friendship benches or buddy benches are not a new idea and many already exist in schools.

The initiative was launched on July 13th, two days after World Loneliness Day. HelloBench benches will all be labelled clearly and marked on Google maps which you’ll be able to find on the Facebook page. Aliya says: “The hope is that even if one or two people are helped each week on these benches – that’s a worthwhile hello.”

She issued a special thanks to Vicky Cooke, owner of Vammahs Print and Design who has provided the signs for the benches and a banner on T-shirts on launch day last month.

More benches are welcome and if anyone in the locality, wants one in their area, just get in touch, support is available to make that happen. Visit HelloBench – Facebook for more details.

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Affinity Water’s eco garden competition winners

Round & About

Posted on

Community & Charity

Well done to Sam Proctor of Amersham’s Chiltern Garden Design and other local stars in Affinity Water’s competition

Sam brought her debut show garden to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, to much acclaim. The Water Saving Garden was designed to highlight the urgent need to save and reuse rainwater, a cause inspired by Chiltern chalk streams.

After the show, the award-winning garden was generously offered in a unique competition by the garden’s sponsor, Affinity Water, open to be won by a community garden or local initiative that’s beneficial to people and planet.

Three entries were shortlisted for consideration by the judging panel, all of extremely high merit. The winner is Iver Environment Centre, run by charity Groundwork South which delivers inspiring ecology-based learning to primary local school pupils. They also run volunteering programmes for skills development and to improve mental and physical health for young and old alike.

Iver Environment Centre will incorporate The Water Saving Garden into an educational water garden to inspire people to learn about pollinators, plants and changing weather patterns. Together with Holmer Green-based Castle Landscapes, who built the garden at RHS Chelsea, the team worked with volunteers to install the show garden to be enjoyed and looked after by the centre’s 8,000 visitors and volunteers per year.

Honourable mentions also go to the runners up Stony Dean School in Amersham, and Watford & Three Rivers Trust in Watford, which had strong entries to the competition and both do really beneficial work helping local people with significant needs.

Sam tells us: “Chiltern Garden Design offers a bespoke garden design service to homeowners, offering everything from conceptual design and planning to detailed design, bespoke built-in furniture, outdoor lighting design, planting design, irrigation, aftercare and more. We were honoured to have been able to create our first show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, for which we received a bronze medal. Our passion is bringing people joy through creating beautiful gardens that suit them and their family’s needs.

“My wish is that humanity wakes up and gets together to find solutions to the climate crisis coming down the track before it’s too late.”

Sam, 51, lives with her husband Nigel, an award-winning photographer, and moved to Bucks from Manchester. “We love Nena in Amersham as well as the Grocery for brunch and coffee. Gershon & Sons in Old Amersham and No.2 Pound Street in Wendover are both fabulous for a bit of cheese indulgence. No 1 High St in Wendover is a lovely moochy shop for gifts and treats. We were so sad that Drop in Old Amersham has recently closed – great wine and company were always to be found there and we wish James all the best for his next venture.

“We have spent many happy evenings at the Queens Head in Chesham, and enjoy a walk down to the Crown, the Swan or the Elephant & Castle in Amersham old town for a drink or a bite. The Griffin and Hawkyns Brasserie in old Amersham are both lovely for special dinners, as well as Brazils in Chesham. An honourable mention to The Drawing Room in Chesham which is quirky and fun, and actually where Nigel and I had our first date!

“We love Heritage Day in Old Amersham and are looking forward to introducing friends from outside the area to its delights this year.”

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Dench and Blumenthal support OxTrail

Karen Neville

Posted on

Community & Charity

OxTrail host Sobell House Hospice has collaborated with famous names to create a very special sculpture as part of the trail

The herd of more than 130 oxen have taken over Oxfordshire on the OxTrail and one of those attracting attention is Postb-ox.

The very special calf-sized sculpture features signatures and messages from celebrities, musicians, actors and authors.

The incredible art collection, made up of 31 large oxen sculptures and 107 mini oxen, has been unveiled. Each of the large oxen is uniquely decorated and place in key locations in the city, with the smaller oxen in mini herds throughout the county.

The large oxen have been designed by international and UK artists – including children’s illustrator Korky Paul and author David Melling. One of the community-lead mini-herd is causing quite a stir.

Decorated with the doodles, scribbling and signatures, the oxen are patterned in postcards from some of Oxfordshire’s famous residents and friends including notes from Dame Judi Dench, Heston Blumenthal, Mel Geidroyc, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead and Prue Leith.

Families can explore the city and spot the oxen in and around the county, following the trail using the app or map. For those hunting for Postb-ox, it can be found in the out-patients window at Sobell House Hospice on the site of the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

Around 85 schools and community groups are taking part in OxTrail as part of the mini oxen sculptures too, which will be displayed libraries, hotels and community spaces.

And keep your eyes peeled for the ‘mini-mini oxen’ which can be found in the windows of the Oxford Story Museum, and other specially designed mini oxen including two from noted interior designer Annie Sloan CBE.

The OxTrail art will be on display until the end of August. On Friday 13th September the sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for the hospice. Postb-ox will be up for auction too, along with a scrapbook containing all the original notes and drawings from the celebrities.

For more information on OxTrail head to https://oxtrail2024.co.uk/

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Urgent plea for families in need

Round & About

Posted on

Community & Charity

Could you help The Link Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting children affected by domestic violence, bereavement, disability and poverty?

This amazing volunteer-powered local charity is currently experiencing an unprecedented demands for beds, cots and mattresses. The team are looking to partner with businesses and individuals who want to make a difference in our community.

Is there a challenge you have always fancied taking? Are you a business which could hold a team building fundraiser? Perhaps you fancy joining The Link Foundation as they raise awareness and funds at the Maidenhead Boundary Walk?

The team, who help families in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, are always excited to brainstorm ideas on how they could work together to provide all the beds needed to give local kids a good night’s sleep.

Please call 01628 400600 or donate at The Link Foundation – JustGiving

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

BBOWT’s Andree Church’s best of Bucks

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Community & Charity

Andree Church tells us about moving from Ontario to south Bucks and her wildlife trust role helping protect & enjoy the countryside

Hi Andree. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
“I’m 33 and have a very energetic 18-month-old who keeps me on my toes! I’m a learning manager for the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust [BBOWT], which means I’m lucky to spend my ‘work’ days on beautiful nature reserves teaching people of all ages about local wildlife. I manage BBOWT’s education centres in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, and we have centres near Tring, Maidenhead and Windsor. I enjoy sharing my love of nature and fielding questions from inquisitive children. One of my recent faves was ‘Do you sleep at the nature reserve?’ (I don’t, but there’s an event idea!).”

Q. Where do you live?
“I’ve lived in Chinnor with my husband since 2017. I grew up in Ontario, Canada, and came to the UK in 2013 to do some postgraduate studies. I planned on staying for a year but met my husband at university! Here I am, still in the Thames Valley area eleven years later!”

Q. What are your favourite walks?
“Any along with Ridgeway. The stretch between Bledlow and Princes Risborough is a particular favourite – the rolling hills provide some great viewpoints of the Chilterns. Amazing to think that people have been using these paths for thousands of years.”

Q. Any favourite local shops or businesses?
“Oakley Village Shop (recently opened) for delicious baked goods, great coffee and a park/playing field next to it. And Gloria’s in Thame.”

Q. What highlights are you looking forward to?
“Some summery family picnics in parks and local woodlands. Just need all this rain to stop!”

Q. What do you most love about where you live?
“The rich cultural history coupled with gorgeous countryside. As somebody who didn’t grow up in this area, I have a real appreciation for how lucky we are to live where we do.”

Q. What are hidden gems locally?
“Our local nature reserves, there are plenty just on our doorstep. BBOWT are a fabulous group of people who work tirelessly to look after wildlife and habitats in our area. We look after more than 80 nature reserves, run five education centres and two visitor centres. We feel everyone benefits from access to wildlife and nature – physically, mentally and/or emotionally. We offer programming for everyone, from Nature Tots (12 months+) through to our Teen Rangers clubs and events for adults. If you’d like to find out more about any of these, check out our website.”

Q. How can we help?
“As a charity, BBOWT relies on donations to fund our conservation work in the local community. If you’re not already a member and would like to support our work you can join us by visiting our website. Alternatively, you can donate to our Nature Recovery Fund [Nature Recovery Fund], our biggest fundraising campaign to date which aims to raise £3 million for nature climate and people.”

Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?
“That we all treat others as we wish to be treated. And that we do a better job of looking after this planet – after all, it’s the only one we’ve got! Oops, that’s two wishes!”

Latest posts

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Rebus Theatre Group fundraiser

Round & About

Posted on

Community & Charity

Enjoy an evening’s entertainment with Rebus Theatre Group and help raise funds for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice rebuild. Ian Wilson-Soppitt invites us to take our seats and have a laugh

Rebus Theatre Group was formed 20 years ago for the purpose of performing original murder mystery plays for charities.

The man behind the idea was well known local actor, author and playwright, Alan Macland. Alan wrote a handful of entertaining plays with colourful characters and intriguing plots. They were performed by a small and very professional cast of local players.

The concept behind Rebus has always been that all proceeds go directly to the charity being supported and we work closely with sponsors to make sure we maximise their contribution. In the early days we supported local Rotary and Lions groups and their charities. We have more recently performed for Alzheimer’s Society, Cardiac Rehab, Citizen’s Advice, Cruse, Elstead Village Hall, Homestart and Prostate Cancer Research.

After the pandemic, we reformed and, as Alan Macland is no longer waiting, engaged another local author – in this case Alan Goodchild – to write some golf-themed murder mysteries which we performed at local golf clubs, once again for their selected charities.

With Alan and Mandy Macland’s blessing and keeping charity fundraising as our rasion d’etre, we are now in rehearsal for two one act comedies by yet another Alan-Ayckbourn of West End and Scarborough fame, Mother Figure and Between Mouthfuls.

We are looking forward to welcoming audiences to Shackleford’s charming Village Hall on July 26th and 27th. On this occasion we are raising funds for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, in particular for their rebuilding project.

Tickets can be booked through the website Ticket-Office at £16 each to include a glass of Prosecco and cheese and biscuits in the interval.

It will be most enjoyable and entertaining evening. We look forward to welcoming you.

Ian Wilson-Soppitt

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice rebuild

The purpose-built hospice will be larger and better equipped than the building it will replace. It will have a specialist 18 bedded unit, to care for those with the most intensive medical and nursing needs and will also include a therapy suite and treatment rooms, an education suite, café, a rehabilitation suite and counselling rooms. All wrapped by beautiful gardens to improve wellbeing.

The state-of-the-art facility will offer inpatient and outpatient care and will support men and women, young and old, with cancer and other terminal and advanced illnesses as well as supporting local families and children through their grief and bereavement.

It will serve a community of over 500,000 people across Surrey and Hampshire. The hospice will not receive any government help to fund the £6million needed. Find details at Phyllis Tuckwell – Building a new hospice | Phyllis Tuckwell (pth.org.uk)

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter: